For Over 25 years, PBC
Linear developed working relationships with its customers to help them
save money and time by customizing PBC Linear products to their
needs. From simple Pillow Block modification to a complex linear
slides and stages, PBC Linear delivered on its expertise and the
customer benefited with cost savings and rapid time to
market! Class 10 clean rooms, the norm for semiconductors
and medical automation, are areas where the Simplicity® technologies
exceed all expectations. In these surroundings, PBC Linear’s
proven smooth moving, Simplicity technology, requires no lubrication,
emit small amounts of particulate and last for years!
This automation company manufactures
silicon wafers and handling equipment that is housed and operated in
extremely clean environments. Wafers are stacked in a cassette which is
housed in a SMIF Pod for safe transport between processes. The SMIF Pods
provide a minienvironment (class 1) to prevent contamination and are
the temporary home of the wafers during their processing. The SMIF
Pods are attached to a Pod elevator which allows the robot servicing
the processing tool to horizontally pick and place the wafer into the
tool.
Smooth vertical movement of the elevator
POD is essential to prevent the wafer in the cassette from vibrating
free or out of position for the robot. Either of the
aforementioned conditions could have serious consequences.
Destroying the batch of wafers could cost hundreds of thousands of
dollars. Although the mini-environment protects the wafers, it is
necessary that the environment they reside in remain clean (Class 10) to
avoid any contamination during the exterior loading and unloading
process. Micro processors and other IC Chips computational power
become a function of the density of the etching of the individual
circuits on the wafer. Cleanliness means denser circuits and more
computing power.
The automation company originally came to
PBC Linear for a chatter or vibration free linear guide that could
function in a contaminant-free manufacturing facility without dispersing
particulates or requiring lubrication. With its precision design,
simple two-piece assembly, and proven Frelon® J liner, the Uni-Guide was
the obvious choice to handle the silicon wafer transport system used in
the manufacturing process. With a proven history in similar
applications, the Uni-Guide linear slide has a clean track record
providing precise linear motion without added lubricants. The
customer, however, was also reaching for more; they wanted a turn-key
system to act as the heart of the new wafer elevator. PBC Linear’s
team of seasoned engineers worked with the customer in designing a
complete system that upon delivery simply plugs in and functions
perfectly with the rest of the machine. As this mutual relationship has
developed, PBC Linear not only supplied the slide but also began to
supply the motors, drive screws, guards, limit switches—pre assembled
and tested.
Assembled in PBC Linear’s clean workroom,
the specially designed Uni-Guide is subject to critical testing for
accurate travel and alignment. Careful measures are taken to ensure the
sterile transportation of the Uni-Guide from testing to when it arrives
at its destination. PBC Linear has maintained their production and
documentation in accordance with the regulations set up by the customer
and upheld its reputation as the destination for solutions to the most
difficult linear motion applications and has supplied product in a
timely fashion world wide.
